[Effect of fucoxanthin on insulin resistance in obese mice induced by high fat diet].

The aim of this paper was to study the effect and mechanism of fucoxanthin on insulin resistance of obese mice induced by high-fat diet. Fifty C57 BL/6 J male mice were randomly divided into control group and high-fat diet group. The insulin resistance model was induced with high-fat diet for 12 weeks, and model mice were randomly divided into model group, fucoxanthin-0.2% group, fucoxanthin-0.4% group and metformin group. After dietary treatment for 6 weeks, the body weight and epididymal fat weight in each group were measured. Fasting blood glucose(FBG), fasting insulin(FINS), total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein(HDL-C) were measured, and insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR) was calcula-ted. The pathological morphology in liver was observed by hematoxylin eosin staining, and the expressions of some key proteins in insulin receptor substrate 1(IRS-1)/posphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3 K)/serine-threonine kinase(Akt) and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-γ(PPARγ)/sterol regulatory element binding protein-1(SREBP-1)/fatty acid synthetase(FAS) pathways in liver were detected by Western blot. According to the findings, compared with the model group, levels of body weight, epididymal fat weight, FBG, FINS, TC, TG, LDL-C and HOMA-IR, as well as protein expressions of PPARγ, SREBP-1 and FAS in liver were significantly reduced(P<0.05 or P<0.01), while level of HDL-C and protein expressions of p-IRS-1, IRS-1, PI3 K and p-Akt in liver were signi-ficantly increased after treatment with fucoxanthin(P<0.05 or P<0.01). And the pathological changes of liver tissue in fucoxanthin-treated mice were also improved obviously. The results showed that fucoxanthin could improve obesity, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, and alleviate insulin resistance in obese mice, and its mechanism is possibly related to the regulation of IRS-1/PI3 K/Akt and PPARγ/SREBP-1/FAS pathways.

Diuretic Activity of Compatible Triterpene Components of Alismatis rhizoma.

Alismatis rhizoma (AR), the dried rhizoma of Alisma orientale Juzepzuk (Alismataceae), is a traditional Chinese medicine. AR is an important part of many prescriptions and is commonly used as a diuretic agent in Asia. This study aimed to evaluate the diuretic effects of total triterpene extract (TTE) and triterpene component compatibility (TCC, the mixture of alisol B 23-acetate, alisol B, alisol A 24-acetate, alisol A, and alisol C 23-acetate) of AR in saline-loaded rats. The optimal diuretic TCC of AR was optimized using a uniform design. Different doses (5, 20, and 40 mg/kg) of TTE and TCC groups (N1-N8) were orally administered to rats. Urinary excretion rate, pH, and electrolyte excretion were measured in the urine of saline-loaded rats. Results showed that TTE doses increased urine volume and electrolyte excretion compared with the control group. All uniformly designed groups of TCC also increased urine excretion. In addition, optimal diuretic TCC was calculated (alisol B 23-acetate: alisol B: alisol A 24-acetate: alisol A: alisol C 23-acetate 7.2:0.6:2.8:3.0:6.4) and further validated by saline-loaded rats. This study demonstrated that TTE presented a notable diuretic effect by increasing Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl − displacements. The most suitable TTC compatible proportion of alisol B 23-acetate: alisol B: alisol A 24-acetate: alisol A: alisol C 23-acetate for diuretic activity was validated, and triterpenes were the material basis for the diuretic activity of AR.

[Development of a cell-based peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) screening model and its application for evaluation of triterpenoids isolate from Alismatis Rhizoma].

Peroxisome proliferators activated receptors (PPARs) are closely related to human chronic disease, such as diabetes mellitus and the other metabolic diseases. In this study, a cell-based PPARs (PPAR α/ß/γ) model was developed for the screening of PPARs agonists from Alismatis Rhizoma (AR). Firstly, 293T cells were transfected with the reconstructed plasmid pBind-PPAR (α, ß, or γ)-LBD and reporter gene pGL4.35, and the known PPARs agonists were used as the positive control (fenofibrate for PPARα, L165041 for PPARß, and rosiglitazone for PPARγ). The ability of activation for PPARs was evaluated by analyzing the expression value of luciferase. Afterward, the 14 pure triterpenoids isolate from AR were analyzed on the developed PPARα, PPARß and PPARγ screening assay method. The results showed that the compounds 5, 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14 from AR have the ability of activation for PPARα. The compounds 5 and 7 from AR have the ability of activation for PPARß. The compounds 6, 7, 8 and 12 from RA have the ability of activation for PPARγ.In this study, the compound 12 from AR were found to display significant activation on PPARγ for the first time. AR triterpenoids extracts had the ability of activation for PPARα, PPARß and PPARγ. The results suggested that triterpenoids extracts from AR were PPARα, PPARß and PPARγ agonists. The results will help to provide reference for clinical application of AR, and establish a model for PPARs on 293T cell, which can be used to screen and evaluate PPARs natural agonists.

Comparison of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and endoscopic biliary drainage in the management of malignant biliary tract obstruction: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To compare percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) for management of malignant biliary tract obstruction (MBTO). METHODS: PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane database were searched to 31 December 2013. Main outcome measurements were therapeutic success rate, 30-day mortality rate, overall complications, cholangitis, and pancreatitis. RESULTS: Eight studies (five retrospective and three randomized controlled trials) were included in the meta-analysis with a total of 692 participants. Combined odds ratio (OR) = 2.18 revealed no significant difference in therapeutic success between PTBD and EBD (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.73-6.47, P = 0.162). However, after excluding two studies that appeared to be outliers, PTBD exhibited a better therapeutic success rate than EBD (pooled OR = 4.45, 95% CI = 2.68-7.40, P < 0.001). Patients who underwent PTBD were 0.55 times as likely to have cholangitis as those who underwent EBD, whereas the overall complication rate, pancreatitis rate, and 30-day mortality were similar between the two procedures. CONCLUSIONS: PTBD may be associated with a better therapeutic success rate and lower incidence of cholangitis than EBD, but the overall complication rate, pancreatitis rate, and 30-day mortality of the two procedures are similar.

[Delayed massive hemorrhage after pancreaticoduodenectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize our clinical experiences of delayed massive hemorrhage (DMH), a rare but fatal complication, after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). METHODS: The clinical data of 14 DMH patients at our medical center were collected and analyzed to evaluate the risk factors and to compare the efficacies of different therapies. RESULTS: A total of 1008 PD patients were treated since April 1993. Fourteen DMHs occurred post-operatively (1.4%). In these cases, 10/14 (71.4%) were complicated with pancreatic fistula. Sentinel bleeding was observed in 10 (71.4%) cases. The clinical manifestations of DMH included simple abdominal hemorrhage (n = 6, 42.9%), alimentary tract hemorrhage (n = 6, 42.9%) and both (n = 3, 21.4%). Shock (n = 2, 14.3%) might also be the initial symptom. Thirteen cases achieved post-therapeutic hemostasis while 1 patient died before re-admission. The therapeutic modalities included interventional therapy (n = 8) and surgery (n = 5). According to the therapeutic modalities, the re-bleeding rate, morbidity and final mortality of two groups were 50.0% vs 40.0% (P = 0.83), 75.0% vs 60.0% (P = 0.96) and 50.0% vs 80.0% (P = 0.62) respectively. Five patients survived at the end of treatment. The mortality rate was 71.4%. CONCLUSION: As a rare but fatal complication after PD, DMH is difficult to diagnose and treat. Postoperative pancreatic fistula remains a possible but undetermined risk factor. Sentinel bleeding is of great predicative value for DMH. Regular interventional arteriography is an effective method of improving diagnosis and treatment. Both interventional therapy and surgery may be used to treat DMH.

[Surgical management and outcome of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of pancreas: a series of 58 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To study the surgical management of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas (SPTP) and its characteristics of outcome. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with SPTP of the pancreas admitted from January 2001 to December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 7 male and 51 female patients, with an average age of 30 years (ranging 9 to 70 years). Most patients were symptomatic before admission; the most common symptom was abdominal pain. Of the 58 patients, 21 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, 30 patients underwent distal pancreatectomy, 6 patients underwent central pancreatectomy, 1 patient underwent simple tumor enucleation, and 1 patients underwent duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection. RESULTS: The average length of stay in hospital was 23.8 days (ranging 12 to 64 days). Thirteen patients (22.4%) developed postoperative complications, including grade A postoperative pancreatic fistula of 8 cases, gastrointestinal tract bleeding of 1 case, pleural effusion of 2 cases, wound infection and fat liquefaction of 2 cases. Two patients underwent reoperation due to gastrointestinal tract bleeding or wound infection. There was no hospital death. Forty-four patients were followed-up for 7 to 136 months with an average of 41 months. All the 44 patients were alive, while 8 patients developed dyspepsia and 4 patients developed diabetes mellitus. There were no tumor recurrences or metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: SPTP is found primarily in young women. Excellent prognosis would be achieved with surgical resection.

[A case-control study of minimally invasive transforaminal interbody fusion with the assistance of robot and traditional fluoroscopy in the treatment of single-space lumbar disc herniation].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and nail placement accuracy of fluoroscopy-assisted and robot-assisted minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) in the treatment of single-space lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: The clinical data of 52 patients with single-space lumbar disc herniation treated by MIS-TLIF from March 2019 to February 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 24 patients were treated by robot-assisted MIS-TLIF(group A) and 28 patients were treated by fluoroscopy-assisted MIS-TLIF (group B). The intraoperative blood loss, operation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale(VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA) scores and operation-related complications were recorded in two groups. Gertzbein-Robbins grade according to CT scan was used to evaluate the nail placement after operation. Grade A and B were evaluated as satisfactory nail placement, and grade C, D, and E were evaluated as error placement. Babu's method was used to evaluate the screw's invasion to the superior articular process. RESULTS: The operation time, intraoperative blood loss and intraoperative fluoroscopy times in group A were less than those in group B(P<0.05).VAS and JOA scores of all patients at the final follow-up were significantly improved compared with those before operation(P<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups(P>0.05). There were 96 and 112 screws in group A and group B, respectively. Three days after operation, according to the Gertzbein-Robbins grade to evaluate the nail placement accuracy, there were 90 screws of grade A, 5 of grade B, 1 of grade C, no grade D and E in group A;there were 84 screws of grade A, 16 of grade B, 8 of grade C, 4 of grade D, no grade E in group B;the difference between two groups was statistically significant(Z=-3.709, P=0.000). The satisfactory rate of screw placement in group A was 98.96% (95/96), and that of group B was 89.29% (100/112), the difference between two groups was statistically significant (χ2=8.254, P=0.004). Three days after operation, the invasion of superior facet joints by pedicle screws was evaluated according to Babu's method, including 90 screws in grade 0, 4 in grade 1, 2 in grade 2, and 0 in grade 3 in group A;86 in grade 0, 12 in grade 1, 10 in grade 2 and 4 in grade 3 in group B, and the difference was statistically significant(Z=-3.433, P=0.001). There were no serious spinal cord, nerve and vascular injuries and other operation-related complications caused by screw implantation failure in both groups. All patients were followed up from 6 to 12(9.06±1.60) months. The neurological symptoms improved well after operation. During the follow-up period, there was no recurrence of symptoms, loosening or breakage of the internal fixation. CONCLUSION: Compared with the traditional fluoroscopy-assisted MIS-TLIF, the spinal robot-assisted MIS-TLIF not only has more minimally invasive and safer, but also has higher accuracy in nail placement, lower incidence of upper articular process invasion, and more accurate decompression targets, which can be used for minimally invasive treatment of single-space lumbar disc herniation.

Shenlian (SL) Decoction, a Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound, May Ameliorate Blood Glucose via Mediating the Gut Microbiota in db/db Mice.

Shenlian (SL) decoction is a herbal formula composed of Coptis and ginseng, of which berberine and ginsenoside are the main constituents. Even though SL decoction is widely used in treating diabetes in China, the mechanism of its antidiabetes function still needs further study. Gut microbiota disorder is one of the important factors that cause diabetes. To explore the effect of SL decoction on intestinal microbiota, gut microbiota of mice was analyzed by sequencing the gut bacterial 16S rRNA V3+V4 region and metagenomics. In this study, results demonstrated that SL decoction had a better hypoglycemic effect and ß cell protection effect than either ginseng or Coptis chinensis. Alpha diversity analysis showed that all interventions with ginseng, Coptis, and SL decoction could reverse the increased diversity and richness of gut microbiota in db/db mice. PCoA analysis showed oral SL decoction significantly alters gut microbiota composition in db/db mice. 395 OTUs showed significant differences after SL treatment, of which 37 OTUs enriched by SL decoction showed a significant negative correlation with FBG, and 204 OTUs decreased by SL decoction showed a significant positive correlation with FBG. Results of KEGG analysis and metagenomic sequencing showed that SL decoction could reduce the Prevotellaceae, Rikenellaceae, and Helicobacteraceae, which were related to lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, riboflavin metabolism, and peroxisome, respectively. It could also upregulate the abundance of Bacteroidaceae, which contributed to the metabolism of starch and sucrose as well as pentose-glucuronate interconversions. In the species level, SL decoction significantly upregulates the relative abundance of Bacteroides_acidifaciens which showed a significant negative correlation with FBG and was reported to be a potential agent for modulating metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity. In conclusion, SL decoction was effective in hypoglycemia and its mechanism may be related to regulating gut microbiota via upregulating Bacteroides_acidifaciens.

Alismatis Rhizoma Triterpenes Alleviate High-Fat Diet-Induced Insulin Resistance in Skeletal Muscle of Mice.

Alismatis rhizoma (AR), which is the dried rhizome of Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juz. (Alismataceae), is an important component of many famous Chinese formulas for hypoglycemic. This study aimed to evaluate the insulin resistance (IR) alleviating effects of AR triterpenes (ART) and ART component compatibility (ARTC, the mixture of 16-oxo-alisol A, 16-oxo-alisol A 23-acetate, 16-oxo-alisol A 24-acetate, alisol C, alisol C 23-acetate, alisol L, alisol A, alisol A 23-acetate, alisol A 24-acetate, alisol L 23-acetate, alisol B, alisol B 23-acetate, 11-deoxy-alisol B and 11-deoxy-alisol B 23-acetate) in high-fat diet-induced IR mice and plamitate-treated IR C2C12 cells, respectively. A dose of 200 mg/kg of ART was orally administered to IR mice, and different doses (25, 50, and 100 µg/ml) of ARTC groups were treated to IR C2C12 cells. IPGTT, IPITT, body weight, Hb1AC, FFA, TNF-α, MCP-1, and IR-associated gene expression (p-AMPK, p-IRS-1, PI3K, p-AKT, p-JNK, and GLUT4) were measured in IR mice. Glucose uptake, TNF-α, MCP-1, and IR-associated gene expression were also measured in IR C2C12 cells. Results showed that ART alleviated high-fat diet-induced IR in the skeletal muscle of mice, and this finding was further validated by ARTC. This study demonstrated that ART presented a notable IR alleviating effect by regulating IR-associated gene expression, and triterpenes were the material basis for the IR alleviating activity of AR.

[Determinants of long-term survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy for ampulla of Vater carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the determinants of long-term survival for ampulla of Vater carcinoma treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: A total of 77 patients with ampulla of Vater carcinoma undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy were reviewed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival rate. Independent t test was used for statistical comparison and COX regression model for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: No patient died as a result of surgery. The overall 5-year survival was 40.7%. Univariate analysis showed that perioperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (P = 0.012), tumor invasion depth (P = 0.000), UICC stage (P = 0.000) and tumor size (P = 0.001) were significant prognostic factors of ampulla of Vater carcinoma; in multivariate analysis, only the tumor size (P = 0.000) was an independent prognostic factor of ampulla of Vater carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is associated with significant survival. Tumor size is the most important influencing factor of outcome after pancreaticoduodenectomy; in addition, perioperative serum CEA level, tumor invasion depth and UICC stage may also influence the survival rate, there exists a need for further follow-up studies.

[Experience from surgical resection for 48 cases of hilar cholangiocarcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the methods, safety and efficiency of surgical resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: The clinical and follow-up data of 48 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent surgical resection from January 2003 to December 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 26 male and 22 female, aged from 38 to 72 years old with a mean of 63.6 years old. RESULTS: Perioperative management including percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage applied in 19 cases and portal vein embolization applied in 2 cases. Eight patients were treated with extrahepatic bile duct resection with or without parital hepatic segment II resection, 10 cases with perihilar hepatic resection (segment IVB, partial V, partial VIII, I), 28 cases with extended hemihepatectomy and 2 cases with central hepatic resection (segment IVB, V, VIII, I). R0 resection rate was 89.5% and the operative mortality was 2.1%. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rate were 93.5%, 51.8% and 36.5%, respectively. Patients undergoing extended hepatic resection survived significantly longer than those undergoing partial hepatic resection (P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Extended hepatic resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma offers good outcomes with an acceptable mortality rate.

[Clinical application of precise liver resection techniques in patients with complicated liver space-occupying lesions].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the early results of precise liver resection. METHODS: Between May 2006 and June 2009, 65 patients with complicated liver space-occupying lesions were included in the study. Fifty-one patients underwent curative liver resection. Liver resections performed included 16 trisectionectomies, 11 hemihepatectomy, 5 meso hepatectomies, 3 combined segmentectomies, 5 caudate lobectomies and 11 irregular local resections. RESULTS: Patients undergoing resection had no mortality with a major morbidity of 9.8%. Nineteen vascular repairs and reconstructions were patent at last follow-up. The postoperative 1-year survival rate was 100% in 10 patients with benign lesions and 92.7% in 41 patients with malignant tumors. The 1-year survival rate was zero in patients with malignant tumors, who underwent no liver resection. CONCLUSIONS: Precise liver resection, as an aggressive surgical approach, offers hope for these patients, who would otherwise have a dismal prognosis.

Liver resection for benign hepatic lesions: a retrospective analysis of 827 consecutive cases.

AIM: To analyze the operative and perioperative factors associated with hepatectomy of benign hepatic lesions. METHODS: A total of 827 consecutive cases of benign hepatic lesion undergoing hepatectomy from January 1986 to December 2005 in the Chinese PLA General Hospital were investigated retrospectively according to their medical documentation. RESULTS: The effect of operative and perioperative factors on the outcome of patients were analyzed. Of the 827 cases undergoing hepatectomy for more than 3 liver segments accounted for 22.1%, 316 (38.21%) required transfusion of blood products during operation. The average operating time was 220.59 +/- 109.13 min, the average hospital stay after operation was 13.55 +/- 9.38 d. Child-Pugh A accounted for 98.13%. The postoperative complication rate was 13.54% and the in-hospital mortality rate was 0.24%. Multivariate analysis showed that operating time (P = 0.004, OR = 1.003) and albumin value (P = 0.040, OR = 0.938) were the independent predictors of morbidity and indicated that operating time, blood transfusion, complication rate, and LOS had a trend to decrease. CONCLUSION: Hepatectomy for benign hepatic lesions can be performed safely with a low morbidity and mortality, provided that it is carried out with optimized perioperative management and an innovative surgical technique.

Effects of portal venous arterialization on acute occlusion of hepatic artery in rats.

BACKGROUND: A fatal complication after liver transplantation is anastomotic embolization of the hepatic artery. In order to solve this problem, the portal venous arterialization (PVA) is used to reconstruct the hepatic arterial blood flow. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of PVA on rats with acute occlusion of hepatic artery. METHODS: Rat PVA models were established and then randomly divided into Group 1 (control group), Group 2 (jaundice group), Group 3 (bile duct recanalization group), and Group 4 (portal vein arterilization group). Recanalization of the common bile duct and PVA were performed 5 days after bile duct ligation in the rats. The influence of the PVA on general conditions, hepatic changes of structure and function, portal vein pressure and hepatic micrangium were observed for one month. RESULTS: Five days after common bile duct ligation the serum bilirubin, transaminase and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly increased. Compared with group 1, there was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01). These rats then underwent bile duct recanalization and PVA. After a month, the liver functions and microscopic structures completely returned to normal and, compared with group 1, there was no statistically significant difference in portal vein pressure (P > 0.05). Vascular casting samples showed that hepatic sinusoids were slightly thicker and more filled than normal ones and although they had some deformations, the hepatic sinusoids were still distributed around the central vein in radial form. CONCLUSION: Within a month after operation, bile duct recanalization and PVA do not show obvious adverse effects on liver hemodynamics and hepatic micrangium, and the liver function and microscopic structure can return to normal.

[Impact of surgical operation-related factors on long-term survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of surgical operation-related factors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: The clinical data of 234 patients after hepatic resection (214 men and 20 women) were retrospectively studied. Univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses were performed for surgical operation-related prognostic factors including age, gender, intraoperative blood loss, iatrogenic tumour rupture, transfusion, operation duration, hepatectomy extent, Pringle manoeuvre, with or without devarscularization, and complications (e.g. postoperative ascites, biliary leakage, incision infection, and pleural effusion). Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests were used to compare survival rates. Kendall's tau bivariate analyses were used to examine the correlations of these surgical operation-related factors. RESULTS: Univariate COX regression analysis revealed that iatrogenic blood loss (chi2 = 19.721, P < 0.001), transfusion (chi2 = 7.769, P = 0.005), tumour rupture (chi2 = 6.401, P = 0.011), operation duration (chi2 = 4.793, P = 0.029), and postoperative ascites (chi2 = 4.452, P = 0.035) were statistically significant predictors in patients with HCC after hepatic resection. Multivariate COX regression analysis revealed that pathological factors, such as blood loss (RR: 2.138, 95% CI: 1.556-2.939), tumour rupture (RR: 2.260, 95% CI: 1.182-4.321), and postoperative ascites (RR: 1.648, 95% CI: 1.088-2.469), independently influenced the HCC prognosis. Blood loss correlated with transfusion (Kendall's tau = 0.416, P < 0.001). There was no correlation between hepatectomy extent and blood loss (Kendall's tau = 0.057, P = 0.383), while transfusion closely correlated with the hepatectomy extent (Kendall's tau = 0.185, P = 0.004). The postoperative ascites closely correlated with Child classification (Kendall's tau = 0.151, P = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: The long-term survival of patients with HCC after hepatectomy may be improved by avoiding blood loss and iatrogenic tumour rupture. The indications of blood transfusion may not be strictly obeyed in some severe cases. Child class B and C cirrhotic patients may experience postoperative ascites and a worse prognosis, and therefore may be candidates for liver transplantation.

[Liver resection in hepatolithiasis: 20-year's evolution].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze operative and perioperative factors associated with hepatectomy in hepatolithiasis. METHODS: 245 consecutive hepatolithiasis patients undergoing hepatectomy from January 1986 to December 2005 at Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital were investigated retrospectively according to medical documentation. RESULTS: Hepatolithiasis accounted for 29.6% (245/827) in all benign liver diseases treated with hepatectomy during this time period. There were 88 cases in male and 157 cases in female, the average age was (46.9 +/- 11.3) years. Cases of right liver resection and hepatic segments resection were much more than that in 1963 - 1985. Blood transfusion during operation was given in 45.3% of cases. Complication incidence was 16.3%, with infection 3.3% and bile leakage 2.4%. Length of stay after operation was (15.7 +/- 9.2) days. Perioperative mortality rate was 0.4% (1/245). CONCLUSIONS: Individualized hepatectomy is the important surgical treatment of hepatolithiasis. Hepatectomy can be performed safely with low mortality and low complication incidence, provided that it is carried out with optimized perioperative management and innovative surgical technique.

[Liver resection: single center experiences of 2008 consecutive resections in 20 years].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze operative and perioperative factors associated with hepatectomy. METHODS: 2008 consecutive patients undergoing hepatectomy from January 1986 to December 2005 at Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital were investigated retrospectively according to their medical documentation. Diagnoses were made on basis of pathological results. RESULTS: Malignant and benign liver diseases accounted for 58.5% and 41.2%, respectively. In the former, primary liver cancer accounted for 76.1% and hilar cholangiocarcinoma for 6.7%. Hemangioma (41.7%) and hepatolithiasis (29.6%) were listed in the first two in the latter group with relatively more patient ratios. Isolated caudate lobe resection was performed in 25 patients and micro-wave inline coagulation was induced in 236 cases of liver resection. In all cases, those with blood loss less than 200 ml accounted for 50.5% (1015/2008), whereas those with more than 400 ml accounted for 28.4% (570/2008). In patients performed micro-wave inline coagulation liver resection, those with blood loss less than 200 ml and more than 400 ml accounted for 60.6% (143/236) and 19.9% (47/236), respectively, which differed significantly from the average level (P < 0.05). The postoperative complication incidence was 14.44% for all cases, 12.54% for primary liver cancer, 16.40% for secondary liver cancer, and 16.32% for hepatolithiasis. Complication incidence of primary liver cancer with tumor size smaller than 5 cm was 11.65% and that with tumor larger than 10 cm was 14.69%. There was no significant difference between the two groups. All-case hospital mortality was 0.55% and that for liver malignant disease was 0.60%, hilar cholangiocarcinoma 2.53%. CONCLUSION: Hepatectomy can be performed safely with low mortality and low complication incidence, provided that it is carried out with optimized perioperative management and innovative surgical technique.

[Clinical analysis of 110 patients with primary gallbladder carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics of primary gallbladder carcinoma. METHODS: The data of clinical manifestations, image characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of 110 patients with primary gallbladder carcinoma were analyzed. RESULTS: The rate of diagnosis as early primary gallbladder carcinoma was only 8.2% (9/110) in this series. The majority of the patients were females (63/110) with an age ranging from 31 to 80 years. Clinical manifestations were not specific, and diagnosis was made mainly on image examination. Radical resection was performed for 57 patients, palliative resection for 41, the rest 12 patients failed to receive operation on reasons of distant metastasis, age or other reasons. Only 88 patients were followed with a mean survival time of 196 days ranging from 15 days to 5 years and 11 months. CONCLUSION: The primary gallbladder carcinoma is quite difficult to diagnose at the early stage, and its prognosis is usually poor. The diagnosis is made mainly depending on the medical history and image examinations.

[Surgical treatment of 402 consecutive cases for hilar cholangiocarcinoma: Chinese single center experience].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze clinical typing, pathologic characteristics of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) and surgical strategies and their effects on HCCA, and to explore the factors that influence the surgical outcomes and long-term survival. METHODS: The data of the 402 patients with HCCA admitted between January 1993 and December 2004 was investigated retrospectively. Primary outcomes examined included clinical typing, pathologic characteristics, surgical procedures and follow-up results. On the basis of Bismuth-Corlette typing, we defined the tumor originated from intrahepatic large bile duct (LBD) as type V (type Va and Vb). RESULTS: Among the 402 patients with HCCA, 198 cases accepted curative resection, 102 (51.5%) for radical resection and 96 (48.5%) for palliative resection. Of the rest patients, 8 received orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), 161 received simple drainage and 35 were not operated on. The resection rates for type I, II, IIIa, IIIb, IV, Va and Vb were 69.4%, 55.5%, 57.4%, 71.7%, 19.6%, 100% and 34.6%, respectively. The one-year survival rates for radical resection, palliative resection, simple drainage and untreated were 80.3%, 53.2%, 26.7% and 9.8%, respectively. And the three-year and five-year survival rates in the four groups were 41.9% and 33.3%, 19.6% and 14.7%, 3.3% and 0, 0 and 0, respectively. Significant difference was found in survival rates between the radical and palliative resection. In the patients who received tumor resection, the ones without lymph nodes metastasis (LNM) survived much longer than those with LNM (P < 0.05). Complications were found in 36.1% of the patients and the mortality rate was 0.3%. CONCLUSIONS: HCCA type V originated from intrahepatic LBD has higher resection rate and better prognosis. The tumor differentiation is significantly correlated with the prognosis after operation. With HCCA, resection is still the major treatment selection. Curative resection carries the best effect. Extended radical resection of liver lobes, blood vessels, lymph nodes can prolong survive. The problem of high recurrence rate after OLT for HCCA has not been solved yet.

Agaricoglycerides Protect against Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Attenuating Inflammatory Response, Oxidative Stress, and Expression of NF-κB.

We have investigated the effects of agaricoglycerides (AG) in a mouse model of hepatic I/R injury. I/R triggered increases/changes in markers of liver injury, hepatic oxidative stress, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). AG significantly reduced the extent of liver inflammation and oxidative stress and also attenuated the NF-κB activation as well as TNF-α and IL-1ß production. Our results indicate that AG may represent a novel protective strategy against I/R-induced injury and inflammatory diseases.